Around the World in YA Tag

I was chosen by Amy @ Inky Spells to do this tag; I’ve seen it going around for a while so I’m glad she tagged me; she is great…if you don’t already follow her, check her out!

The rules of the tag are just to list YA books that take place in different countries. I will admit this was a struggle for me, because most of the books set in other countries I’ve read are not YA, and I’m actually going to try to follow the rules this time.

Mexico

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer.

This book is absolutely wonderful (and I believe there are more in the series now). It takes place in a futuristic/dystopic version of Mexico, but it still counts!

Sweden

Popular Music from Vittula by Mikael Niemi.

I read this book in a class I took on Scandinavian children’s literature. That class was so amazing and really solidified my want to do something with YA/children’s lit for a career. It takes place in Pajala, which is a small town in the far north of Sweden, in the Arctic Circle. It’s FANTASTIC.

China

Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah.

Getting some YA non-fiction up in here! This is a memoir written by a women who grew up in China during World War II.

Australia

The Spellbook of Listen Taylor by Jaclyn Moriarty.

This book is set in Sydney about a crazy family…and there’s magic in there somewhere…that’s pretty much all I remember about it. But I did really liked it! It was a long time ago, people.

England

The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman.

Set at first in Oxford and then traveling to many other places, this is the first book in the famous His Dark Materials trilogy (and the only one I’ve read and I kind-of hate myself for that).

Ireland

Why I Let My Hair Grow Out by Maryrose Wood.

It’s punk. It’s got fairies. It’s set in Ireland. Need I say more? (Also, it’s apparently now a trilogy. Imagine that).

Germany

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak.

If you haven’t read this book, you are wrong. Go read it.

Italy

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke.

This book takes place in Venice and is full of mischief-making children. It’s pretty magical.

I’m not tagging anyone because I’m behind on tags and I’m lazy and I feel like everyone has already done this one. Let me know if you’ve read any of these/what your favorite YA books set in these countries are!

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